This reflection is itself a reflection on Howard Thurman’s poem The Work of Christmas (in italics throughout). |
When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock... Christmas is not over! Though you certainly wouldn’t know it if you went to the lobby of the office building where my husband works in downtown Chicago. Their elaborate Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas display was gone on December 26. In the Episcopal Church we celebrate the entire twelve days of Christmas, but, if we’re honest, the “Christmas magic” from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations is pretty much gone on December 26 too, though we will be singing “Joy to the World” this Sunday. Even if we do celebrate Christmas for twelve days, it’s easy to pack it all up after Epiphany and look forward to next year’s warm feelings of Christmas nostalgia and that Christmas Eve thrill of hope that the weary world might just someday rejoice again. Last Sunday in the liturgy we heard again the Christmas story. But it wasn't the angels and shepherds, “away in a manger, no crib for his bed” Christmas story. John’s gospel tells of the Word Made Flesh – of God born into this world…into the manger of our hearts and bodies...of God coming to dwell with us and make a home among us. Yet God doesn’t only come to make a home with people who may look or behave or vote like you or like me. God desires to make a home among those who have been made outcasts – those for whom, like the Christ Child, the powerful and privileged of this world can find no room. This world was not ready to receive Jesus, full of grace and truth, when he came as a tiny, vulnerable baby born in a manger. And the world as it is is still not ready to receive him. We cannot seem to find a room to welcome him, cluttered as the world is with all manner of tyrants and schemes hellbent on keeping Love the Guest outside the door. Yet God has poured upon us the light of the Incarnate Word. Love HAS come, and deep in our bones, we know that the reality of Christmas calls us to something beyond mere nostalgia and warm holiday wishes. For the Body of Christ at St. Simon’s in Arlington Heights... ... The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, so we will help make sure people’s basic needs are met by supporting the Elk Grove Township food pantry Winter White Drive. Love was born at Christmas, so we will build relationships with community stakeholders with whom we can partner to help bring about abundant life for all in our villages, cities, and neighborhoods. We have beheld God’s glory, so we will be present in community spaces and at community events so that glory can shine through us and bring warmth and healing to the broken places in this world.
For some, Christmas is over in an instant. For many, Christmas is over after twelve days. But for us, the work of Christmas has only just begun. Merry Christmas! |
Beau Surratt Associate for Music and Community Connection
P.S. Please enjoy this musical setting by Dan Forrest of Howard Thurman’s powerful poem. |
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